writing again

[tielan]

In theory I like the idea of crossworks exchange: crossover two fandoms.

In practicality...I just know I won't get anything I like, or something along the lines of what I'd like to write.

*sighs and passes*

--

I haven't really written (or re-written) any more of the novel. Still struggling with the rewrite and the fear that the story just isn't interesting enough.

Wondering if I should switch over to Queen Of The Night (vampire urban fantasy) or over to the ElVeeHu universe - Elves, Vampires, and Humans, oh my!

I don't think I quite have the ElVeeHu plot quite sorted out, other than the romance.

That's usually the problem. I know how the relationship sorts out, but I feel like the plot needs more oomph.

--

Trying to improve on my bus-pass of Just Married. I know there's something missing in the denouement, I just have to find it.

*squints at her pages*

And I ended up on the pinch-hit list. Not entirely surprising, I guess.

Comments

[beatrice_otter]

I am always deeply unable to tell how much of my feelings about a story I am writing are accurate. I will be sure that it sucks and is awful and unreadable (or just ... completely bland and uninteresting) and then I'll send it to a beta and they'll go "here's all the things I love about it, and the stuff you're worried about is actually good." If I'm stressed, or feeling bad, that will infect my feelings about my writing.

I don't do urban fantasy or vampires, but do you have an alpha or beta reader or brainstorming partner you can talk things over with?

[tielan]

I did give the first draft to a friend, who gave a bit of feedback before I metaphorically yanked it from her hands (I actually asked her to stop because it needed major revision), but that was back in May and I haven't managed much rewriting yet.

[beatrice_otter]

Talking it over with them might be a good way to get yourself some fresh thoughts on the matter even if you don't want them to read it yet. And hopefully some enthusiasm. "I feel guilty because I should be working on this is a terrible way to try and motivate yourself. It doesn't work, all it does is make you feel shitty, and if by some miracle you do end up writing, it probably won't be very good because you're not in the right headspace.

[hiddencait]

I've done crossworks in the past but it definitely felt a bit more of a crapshoot since we don't get to really request characters/pairings. I have a bit more hope for ShipCrossing but we'll see when it comes to getting the actual gift.

And remember - you may think it's boring/not interesting enough BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN WRITING (AND READING IT) FOR YEARS. It isn't surprising YOU anymore, but your readers will be getting it all for the firs time. Give yourself from grace on it.

[tielan]

I've done crossworks in the past but it definitely felt a bit more of a crapshoot since we don't get to really request characters/pairings

And me with my characters and pairings is just asking for disappointment, I know. That was another layer to why I decided against it.

Thanks for the reminder about the story. I'm just quietly terrified that I write boringly. Somehow. :)